“MERON BA KAYONG HOPE?
“Sir, bili na kayo nitong binebenta ko. Pandekorasyon ho sa bahay ninyo. Pantustos ko
lang sa mga gastusin ko dito sa loob.”
As we enter the medium security compound of the National Bilibid Prisons, a horde of
vendors went to us selling their crafts to us. Some of these crafts were empty PET bottles
of softdrinks “sculptured” into plants, liquor containers with a model ship inside, and
dragons molded from plastic cups. One thing caught my attention. It is a large replica of a
cigarette and with it is the brand: HOPE. I said to myself, “More than the money they
earn at selling these stuffs, it is hope that makes them survive under these conditions.”
My experience during the outreach to the children-in-conflict-with-the-law last February
18, 2006 was an experience of hope. Before going for the outreach, I was checking out
my things if I could give something to the CICL whom I will be talking to. Coupled with
it are some curious questions about their life in and out of jails, their exposure to crimes
and delinquencies at a young age, and the future that they will face.
Sandwiched between the long and hot travels from the seminary to National Bilibid
Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa and then to Molave Youth Home in Quezon City are the
life-stories of Rommel, Philip and Bulkan. They told me their stories of seeming
hopelessness especially during their first days inside the jails. Being in those institutions
at a young age is very difficult. Some of the factors that made their life difficult are:
abnormal way of life for a teenager, being away from family and friends (though they
have their friends there inside the institution), social stigma and stereotype, the way of
living inside the jails, and poverty. But patient endurance and hope helped them survive
the rigors of life in jail and in the youth center. Rommel told me of his willingness to
study after serving his sentence at NBP. Philip resolved to spend time with his wife and
child when he goes out of Molave while Bulkan hopes to care for his mother and to
support her in her occupation. These are their hopes and the yearnings of their souls.
These serve as sparks of flame that keeps them warm inside the cold dark cells of Molave
and NBP.
People who live outside the prison are sometimes imprisoned with the barrier of
hopelessness. I have to admit that I let myself be locked up by despair. There are a lot of
times that I lose hope in my undertakings. I lose hope in saving a friendship turned sour. I
easily lose hope and give up when I do not feel the presence of God in my prayers. I lose
hope whenever things would happen beyond my control. I lose hope when I get hurt by
the situations around me, especially when cynicism overtakes me. I lose hope when I feel
I am not progressing in my seminary formation. I lose hope when things seem to be in
stalemate and there is no clear solution to face my trials and tribulations in life.
I was not able to give much things for the three CICL’s assigned to me. But Rommel,
Philip and Bulkan taught me how to hope. I received more than they received from me.
They rekindled in me the diminishing fire of hope. Truly, the young are full of vibrancy...
and hope. Even those in conflict with the law have this sense of hope. One thing that I am
praying for is to have this virtue of hope as that of the youth. They taught me that
working our way out of such trying situations is not the solution but letting God work out
his way for us in our life. In this we will achieve greater freedom and maturity of heart
that even the most challenging of all experiences in life cannot bring us down. Rommel,
Philip and Bulkan, thank you!
“Kuya, meron ba kayong nilalako na pag-asa? ‘Yun na lang ang kukunin ko.”
